Merchants Capital is proud to support a safe, value-based environment for our staff and clients that extends out into the community, where many of us who are based at the company’s Indianapolis headquarters live and work. That’s why, when we were presented with the opportunity to partner with Indianapolis college and career preparatory high school Providence Cristo Rey (PCR), we jumped in headfirst. Providence Cristo Rey High School offers a “transformational educational experience to students with economic need” to those living in Indianapolis. The coeducational high school prepares students for the job world by enrolling each student in a corporate work study. This experience at PCR is unique in that all students work one day each week for their designated company, and the money that they earn goes directly towards tuition – keeping costs low for families. Industries that students can work in include law offices, accounting firms, hospitals, universities, nonprofits and financial services like Merchants Capital. Every student receives a Career Mentor at their company, one who guides them and trains them in professional and soft skills to prepare them for life after school. After four years, a graduate of PCR will have earned over 1,000 hours of professional work experience. PCR partners with more than 60 companies from Indianapolis and Carmel, and Merchants Capital is honored to be one of them. We are currently in our fifth year of our partnership together. We started with just one participant, and we’ve now grown to host two incredibly dedicated, smart and talented PCR students each school year. Every Monday and Wednesday, one of the students comes to our offices to learn about a career in the mortgage banking industry. The students are educated on everything from lending, insurance and public speaking to affordable housing, underwriting and critical thinking. Merchants Capital is proud to open our doors to play a lasting and instrumental role in the lives of these students. It has been an enlightening experience to witness the immense personal growth, increased self-confidence and enhanced education our students have received here at Merchants Capital. We’ve provided them a platform and an opportunity, and they have taken it and run with it. Additionally, during the 2020 holiday season, Merchants Capital provided our PCR students with support to spread a little Christmas cheer and thank them for their hard work throughout this unprecedented year. We understand the importance of making an MPACT like this one. Launched in 2018, our MPACT Program supports the initiative of Positively Advancing Communities Together to make an impact in our communities. Our goal with PCR is that the young adults of today can make an MPACT on our future. We are proud to partner with Providence Cristo Rey and look forward to what we can continue to do together in the years to come.